Imitation reed furniture and fabric for making the same



Sept. 9, 1930. D. CARPINELLA ET AL IMITATION REEDFURNITURE AND FABRIC F'OR MAKING THE SAME Filed March 10, 1930 INVENTORS.

Domenico kiwi/76%@l ,ZM/Walz co/Yz'aso,

A TTORNE Y.

Patented Sept. 9, 1930 DOMENICO CARPINELLA AND DOMENICO "Mostro, or iiosrorr, MASSACHUSETTS' IMITATION REED FURNrTUnn AnnrniaiofroaMAKING 'man sAMn 'Application filed Mai-ch 1o, 1930. "seria1n'o.4`a4,675. 1

This invention relates tov improvements in the manufacture of furniture of the so-called l reed type, wherein portions of the furniture are constructed of `a fabric composed of woven flexible reeds or like strands.

It has long been recognized that the use of genuine reed, rattan, or cane fabric in the construction of furniture presents certain serious objections, the comparatively stiff reeds, rattan strands, or canes often splitting or cracking so as to present projections which may injure the person or catch in the clothing, andthe .fabric being very stiff and un comfortable as well asf somewhat unsightly because of its necessarily coarse or loosely woven texture. It has been proposed to j overcome some of these objects byconstruct- `ing the fabric offimitation-reeds consisting of specially prepared paper cords, but suoli imitation .reeds lack neatness and extremeV durability and the fabric constructed there` fromwill not .last long or effectively hold the special shapes requiredin constructing furniture of this type. Another objection of genuine reeds and the like is that they will not effectively absorb and retain surface coatings or finishes, such as stain, paint, varnish and the like. i

Theprimary object of thepresent invention, therefore, is to provide han improved imitation reed fabric or reed fabric substitute which will have all of` the advantages of genuine'reed and like fabrics andv additional characteristics and advantages by which thev objections to the use of genuine reed and like fabrics, in the construction of furniture, are effectively overcome. i

A furtherobject is to provide an improved imitation reed fabric and furniture made therewith, whereby the furniture produced will be highly attractive and luxurious in appearance, very comfortable in use, exceedingly sturdy and durable in construction, and light in weight.

Otherobjects and features of the present invention will become apparent as the nature thereof is better understood, and the same consists in the novel fabric and furniture hereinafter more fully described in conneca shown in Figure 1;.and 'i i j if. of a chair` ".hav1ng-fportions constructed of the novel be presently described.

tionfwith the accompanying drawing, in Y which:"-v M K j M.

Figurel isa `fragmentary view of oneof "the imitationireed strands used in Qmaking the noveland improved fabricforming` part of the present invention. i i

Figure 2 is aV fragmentary fabric constructed from strands of the kind Figure Sis a perspective view fabric shown 1n Figure 2. .i

The imitation reedA fabric A of the present plan view of the invention is formed froln imitation reeds or Y Cords tightly woven in crossed relation, il?? the imitation reedsorcords being pulled taut, the ywarp cords being spaced, and the `Woof cordsfbeing pressed together iniclose or contiguousrelation during the weaving operation. Thisprovides a durable closely woven fabricwh-ich is solid and dainty or luxurious in appearance, particularly -in view of the nature 'ofthe cords orA imitation reeds 5,*to

, Eachicord orimitation reed`5 consists of a length of twine formed of several strands 6 of cotton or likje" fiber tightl'ytwisted or spun together. The term cotton fiber is understood `to niean cotton or any equivalent fiber of similaressential characteristics, such as cotton twill, mixed cotton and wool fibers or strands, and mixed cotton and silk fibers or strands.

It is especially pointed outthat the cords 5 are normally untreated or highly flexible so that they may be readily weaved and textured into the desired shape or design, a decided advantage over the use of genuine reeds, or like rattan or cane strands. More particularly, the present cords or imitation reeds will a hardening and surface forming substance, such as shellac or glue. This renders the fabric quite resilient so that it Will yield and yet return to and normally retain its given shape. This impregnation and coating is effected by dipping the fabric in melted glue so that the cords 5 are coated by the glue to be given a smooth hard surface and to be firmly united and held in their closely Woven relation. A Waterproofing and finishing coating of varnish, stain, or paint may then be applied, if desired. Due to the nature of the cords 5, they readily absorb the glue and finishing coating so as to acquire maximum durability and effectively retain the iinishing coating. The latter feature makes it entirely practical to repeatedly clean the fabric by the use of an ordinary cleaning solution.

Merely by Way of example, a chair is shown in Figure 3 Whose arm rest and back portions are constructed of the fabric embodying the present invention. This figure clearly shows the tightor close Weave of the present fabric and illustrates its solid and luxurious appearance. The fabric is of course attached to the chair frame in the usual or any preferred Way.

That We claim as newl is l. An article of furniture comprising a portion constructed of imitation reed fabric, said fabric consisting of Warp cords arranged in spaced relation, and a plurality of adjacent Woof cords Woven over and under the Warp cords, the individual cords being substantially the size of ordinary reed strands and each being formed from a plurality of twisted threads.

2. An article of furniture according to claim l, including a coating on the fabric consisting of a stifening and surfacing substance for the cords.v

In testimony whereof We alix our signatures.

DOMENICO OARPINELLA. DOMENICO MUSTO. 

